Facebook for Android updated, Messenger and Camera apps removed

The official Facebook application for Android has received an update today, eliminating the much-maligned "Camera" and "Messenger" shortcuts within the app drawer. The apps were first bundled with Facebook in version 1.9, and have been criticized for potentially misleading users. An attempt was made in version 1.9.1 to remedy this with a small Facebook icons in the lower left corner, however now it seems the decision has been made to pull them entirely. No other changes seem to have been made in this latest version, and the Facebook Messenger app remains available as a separate download on the Google Play Store.

In addition, the changelog for the latest version 1.9.2 includes lists "bug fixes" as being included in the new build.

Hit the update button to grab the new version. Alternatively, we've got the usual Google Play links and QR codes after the break.

this attempt of Facebook to jam a Camera and Messenger icon down our throats was disgraceful! i had the EVO and it was jammed down my throat along with all of the other bloatware and crapware and associated app "updates". but that has all come to and end for me because i refuse to take it anymore. i've voted with my wallet. and i've bought a NEXUS. now they can take their damn uninstallable bloatware and crapware and jam it up their own asses!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually having these was useful as I didn't have to download the Messenger App separately. The shortcut took me to FB messages quickly and easily.. the camera shortcut I didn't use so it was no big deal for that to be removed. I won't DL the stand alone messenger again.. I hope they put the shortcut back in as it really wasn't causing any issues to those who know their phone and the apps they have on it.

I did like the messenger shortcut which is just like the one for Google+ messenger. But the standalone Facebook messenger app just got updated too and has features the Facebook app doesn't. For example, in a group message you can see who's read what. It's like Facebook is torn between the two. Personally the standalone FB messenger has been more reliable in notifications so I've reinstalled and still using it.

That's the same thing I did. I liked the messenger icon and it saved me from having a stand alone app. So I just deleted the messenger app which I actually used. Didn't care much for the camera icon though. Its cool I just downloaded the Messenger back. Like the new features they added. Honestly though guys, you need to stop crying about bloatware. They had just added Icons thats it. The didn't make the FB app any bigger or smaller because of it. It was simple gateway to the app features thats it. People are so sensitive. Nobody is mad a Google+ for doing the something or at Google maps.

Zuckerburg got cocky and attempted to hop on an opportunity to bury Google+ by adding extra apps à la Google+. After realizing that they failed, they changed their strategy. Initially they tried to block people from porting their contacts to Google+. Adding the extra apps was reminiscent of Apple adding the notification bar in iOS 5; nothing but throwing a fit.

I would say the consternation is about downloading one app and getting three. I want facebook, but I didn't sign on for extra facebook attachments. Bundling unrequired software is always going to upset people. Its like downloading Yahoo messenger and finding out you have to install a yahoo tool bar for the browser at the same time.

I tried this about 2 years ago with my application and had pretty massive user backlash as well. I thought it'd be useful to have shortcuts to reach popular points of the application. I ended up figuring out a solution to enable/disable it w/ a user settings, it'd be nice if Facebook could provide that option too. Thought most people hated the camera and messenger shortcuts, I'm sure quite a few found it very useful.

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